MECHANICAL PERITONEAL RETRACTION AS A REPLACEMENT FOR CARBON-DIOXIDE PNEUMOPERITONEUM

A fan retractor and a mechanical lifting arm were developed to achieve planar displacement of the anterior abdominal wall for gasless laparoscopic procedures. The technique permits the use of conventional open surgical instruments as well as laparoscopic tools through minilaparotomy incisions. It also potentially addresses the technical constraints imposed by pneumoperitoneum, and physiologic concerns regarding carbon dioxide insufflation. Gynecologic, general surgical, and trauma procedures were performed in 104 patients, with successful completion of 86.5%. Continued application is necessary to delineate the full range of benefits of laparoscopy without insufflation.